2026/27 Taught Postgraduate Programme Catalogue

MSc Astrophysics

Programme overview

Programme code
MSC-ASTRO
UCAS code
Duration
12 Months
Method of Attendance
Full Time
Programme manager
Dr Chris Nixon
Contact address
c.j.nixon@leeds.ac.uk
Total credits
180
School/Unit responsible for the parenting of students and programme
School of Physics and Astronomy
Examination board through which the programme will be considered

Entry requirements

Entry Requirements are available on the Course Search entry

Programme specification

This programme will allow students to broaden and deepen their knowledge in areas of Astrophysics at the forefront of research in the discipline, to attain a masters qualification that prepares them for further research in academia.

As well as a broad grounding in astrophysical concepts, this programme provides practical skills in observational astronomy, data analysis and digital simulations.

At Leeds we are world renowned experts in star and planet formation research, using both theory and observations to try and understand the origins of stars and Earth-like planets. On this programme, students will be exposed to research in this area and will gain experience in using data from the world’s leading observatories.

Year 1

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable

Compulsory Modules

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
PHAS5000MResearch Project60Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
PHAS5040MResearch Skills30Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
PHAS5050MCurrent Research Topics in Physics15Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)

Optional Modules

Candidates will be required to study 75 credits from the following lists of optional modules.

Candidates must choose at least 30 credits in each semester.

Candidates must choose at least 60 credits from list A:

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
PHAS5100MWinds, Bubbles and Explosions15Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
PHAS5110MExoplanetary systems15Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
PHAS5120MGeneral Relativity15Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
PHAS5130MCosmology15Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
PHAS5141MStar Formation15Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
PHAS5160MThe Physics of Fluids15Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)

Candidates may choose up to 15 credits from list B:

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
PHAS5200MSoft Matter Physics: Liquid Crystals15Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
PHAS5210MSoft Matter Physics: Polymers, Colloids and Glasses15Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
PHAS5300MSuperconductivity15Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
PHAS5310MNanomagnetism15Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
PHAS5320MNobel Physics in Materials Science15Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
PHAS5400MQuantum Many-Body Physics15Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
PHAS5410MQuantum Information Science and Technology15Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
PHAS5420MQuantum Field Theory15Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
PHAS5440MAdvanced Quantum Information Theory15Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
PHAS5500MAdvanced Bionanophysics Research15Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
PHAS5510MPhysics of Biological Systems15Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)

Last updated: 12/05/2026 16:36:54

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team